The Chiefs capped-off a successful month of training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri with "Salute to Service Day" that featured military personnel from both Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley.
Towards the end of practice, the military personnel in attendance were able to walk out onto the edge of the field and take a lap to a standing ovation from Chiefs fans.
After practice, coach Andy Reid invited these special guests out onto the field to the post-practice huddle, where they were welcomed by an ovation from coaches and players.
Reid spoke of the guests after practice.
"Great to have the military out here and their support," Reid said. "We know and appreciate how much they do so we can do this. Not only the media, but also the fans and us as players and coaches so we appreciate it all."
During practice, the Chiefs took it easy on this final day of training camp.
The players wore shorts and the practice was over in less than an hour and a half. The team quickly ran through all of their special teams, including rushing the field goal units on to simulate the end of a half.
The offense quickly ran through situations and the light practice was a welcomed sight for the players, many of whom finished their second training camp of the Reid era.
"They battled strong this past week," Reid said. "This was a grinder. Once you get into the games, you kind of think you've got normal weeks and then all of a sudden you get a 10-dayer handed to you after the first preseason game, after you've grinded it out to get to that point and that can be a little tough mentally. They pounded right through it."
Photos from training camp in St Joe on day 21 of camp.
Reid confirmed after practice that Alex Smith would play the first half on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, but said decisions on how the second half would look at quarterback were not yet decided.
Mike DeVito (hand), Josh Mauga (groin) and Eric Berry (heel) will not play on Sunday. Kona Schwenke (shoulder) and Damond Smith (abductor) are doubtful for the game.
Ryan Succop, who had been dealing with a groin injury but has practiced over the past few days, will kick on Sunday and rotate with rookie Cairo Santos.
Also, as part of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that's been sweeping across media platforms, Reid accepted Sporting KC CEO Robb Heineman's challenge.
Andy Reid does the #ALSIceBucketChallenge with help from Jamaal Charles & Chase Daniel at #ChiefsCamp. https://t.co/sTYlUKqLNV — Kansas City Chiefs (@KCChiefs) August 14, 2014
Afterwards, Reid challenged both Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck and assistant offensive line coach Eugene Chung, as well as the Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Juan Castillo, to the challenge.
To learn more about the challenge and ALS, visit cure4als.org
Practice bits:
Did not practice: Eric Berry (heel), Mike Catapano (illness), Mike DeVito (hand), Josh Mauga (groin), Kona Schwenke (shoulder), Damond Smith (abductor)
Several Members of the US Military from Ft Riley and Ft Leavenworth visited camp and met with the players and coaches after practice on Thursday.
